Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder with eye movement desensitization

J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1992 Mar;23(1):43-9. doi: 10.1016/0005-7916(92)90024-d.

Abstract

This case report describes the successful treatment of a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using eye movement desensitization (EMD). The client, a 40-year-old male, presented with an 8-year history of PTSD following an incident in which he was shot with a hand gun and left dying. Using EMD treatment, this trauma was quickly desensitized. Two earlier traumas with similar themes then emerged and they too were desensitized. Test results, taken pre-treatment and posttreatment, along with the client's verbatim account of cognitive and behavioral changes 8 months later, converged to document the successful treatment outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Attention*
  • Desensitization, Psychologic / methods*
  • Eye Movements*
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • Theft / psychology
  • Wounds, Gunshot / psychology